26/10/2012

Man charged with endangering railway users

The Crown Prosecution Service in the East of England has advised British Transport Police to charge Mark Bradshaw with endangering railway passengers and attempted theft of electrical cable from the overhead line, following an incident in Benfleet, Essex, in which a man tragically died.

Grace Ononiwu, Chief Crown Prosecutor for East of England CPS said:

“Mark Bradshaw was arrested on suspicion of metal theft on 27 June 2012. It appears another man had been killed while allegedly attempting to steal the overhead cable with Bradshaw.

"After considering all the evidence, we have advised that Bradshaw should be charged with endangering railway passengers, or any other persons who might use or be on that track for any reason, by an unlawful act.

"The details of the charge are that on or about 27 June 2012, at Benfleet in Essex, by assisting another in the commission of an unlawful act, namely the cutting of an overhead electrical cable, caused to be endangered the safety of any person conveyed on, in, or upon a railway, namely the London to Shoeburyness line.

"This charge reflects the danger caused not only to passengers travelling on the railway but to Bradshaw and his alleged accomplice. We also advised that Bradshaw be charged with attempting to steal electrical cable belonging to Network Rail, on the same date. Given the serious nature of the alleged offences, we believe it is in the public interest that this case should be prosecuted."

Bradshaw, 43, of Canvey, Essex, has been bailed to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on 12 November.